The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-10
A NNUAL STATEMENT OF
~ THE SCHOOL TREASURER.
TO the Honorable the Board of School Com

TO the Honorable the Board of School Com
missioners of Carroll County, Maryland;
| submit herewith, as required by law, a
statement of the receipts and disbursements
on account of the public schools of Carroll
county, for the fiscal year ending 3Oth Sep
TENDER, 1887.
Except by comparison with those OF other
years, the statement shows almost nothing OF
the growth and progress of the schools, and
makes only condensed and vague exhibit of
their cost. It's due the public, and yourselves
as we'll, that there should be rendered more
detailed account of the second term of your
stewardship which is now drawing to close.
During the two years of that term the num-
her of pupils in actual attendance at the public
schools of the county has increased from
6,S27 to 1920, necessitating several new dis
tricts and an addition of eleven to the number
of teachers.
The utter dilapidation of many old school
houses compelled the building of new ones IN
their places. Much of the school furniture
was also worn out, and had to be replaced
with new As far as possible these wants
have been supplied, and the large item OF
interest in the statement suggests the heroic
measures which were required to reach that
end.
During the term, fourteen new rooms for
white schools and two for colored schools have
been built, at cost of about So, 900. In the
same time 81 ,662.46 were expended in repair
ing old houses still worth repairing, and 81
978. Is for furniture. During the two years
of your first term the number of pupils in
creased LOG and the number of teachers 2;
eight new rooms were built at cost of about
81, 200; the sum of $2,510.57 was expended
for repairs, and $92s.35 for furniture.
In the meantime our ceunty's portion OF
the State Free School Fund has shrunk from
81, 627 46 in 1884 to 81, 267.4 Al in 1886, and to
81, 1898. Sc in 1887; and our county portion of
the State School Tax in June, 1887, was
81, O0O 90 less than usual.
These large but unavoidable draughts, and
the unaccountable shrinkage in the state pay.
ments have left the school treasury in crippled
condition. 1t is useless to conceal the fact
that the resources are not sufficient for the
demands made upon them. The funds avail
able, at their best, do not suffice to keep the
schools open three terms at our present rate
of salaries-the lowest in the state-even ii
there be no extraordinary expenditures Tor
new buildings or furniture. How, then, can
they be expected TO bear the additional bur-
dens now laid upon them for these purposes?
Some twelve more new rooms are needed, OF
which several cannot be delayed another year.
1t is believed that when these shall all have
been erected scarcely any necessity will arise
By careful attention and judicious repairs the
furniture, when once renewed, can be kept in
order without great outlay at any one time,
SO that in a year or two the pinching pressure
occasioned by these unusual expenses will
have measurably passed away.
But how shall the school authorities meet
the present demands, and how provide for the
increasing necessities from year to year?
They are powerless to augment their revenues.
There is but one aternative-they must d.
miaish their expenses. There must be more
money or less school. 1t is for the people to
say which they prefer.
The County Commissioners this year made
an extra appropriation of 81, 900 for building
purposes, but the price exacted for even that
meagre and temporary relief was the sacrifice
of one or part of one term of school. If the
annual allowance from the county were raised
to S25 600 lit is now $21 ,000), the relief would
be permanent and ample for awhile, and need
add but little, if anything, to the tax rate.
In the fiscal year before the last Anne
Arundel county, for 1888 pupils, paid $27,-
$685. rs; Baltimore county, for IA, 7O3 pupils,
paid $lO9, 800; Cecil county, for $500 pupils.
paid $21, PSI 90; Frederick county, for 1885
pupils, paid $3l POP; Washington county, for
5000 pupils, paid $SS, 600; Carroll county,
for 6, 5S7 pupils, paid S2l 900.
It IS idle and ridiculous to boast That we
have the lowest tax rate in the state, when at
the same time we are obliged to close the
schools to get funds for building and furnish
ing necessary schoelhouses. have the honor
to be, your obedient servant.
JAMES A. DIFFENBAUGH,
Treasurer, &C., County School Board.
STATEMENT